Trade Fair’s $1 million Canadian Win

Trade Storm, prepared by David Simcock for Qatar Racing and ridden by retained jockey Jamie Spencer, was slow away from an inside draw in the 11-horse field and settled ninth under a solid pace set by the US three-year-old Bobby’s Kitten, who went through the first half mile in 47.52sec. under Kentucky Derby-Dubai World Cup winning rider Joel Rosario.

Spencer made his move with 1 1/2 furlongs to go but Trade Storm did not hit the front till the final 75 yards. He beat the top Canadian hope, Kaigun, by a half length with Bobby’s Kitten 1 3/4 lengths away third.

Trade Storm had finished third to dual US Horse Of The Year Wise Dan in last year’s Woodbine Mile.

He now gains an automatic start in the $US 2 million Group 1 US Breeders Cup Mile at Santa Anita, California, on November 1.

“That’s special,” said Simock, who trains at Newmarket. “He’s one of my all-time favourite horses.

“He travels strongly when there’s a lot of pace. He’s got nice pick-up speed. All he needs is the gaps to open.”

It was a real special night for Simock. He had earlier won the Group 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (12 furlongs) with Sheikhzayedroad, his only other starter at Canada’s showpiece meeting.

“The ground was a little softer than ideal for him but I always felt confident he was going to pick them up,” said Spencer, who will retire from racing riding at the end of the year to take up a management position with Qatar Racing.

Champion Candian jockey Patrick Husbands, who Kaigun, paid Trade Storm a rare compliment. “The winner was simply fantastic,” said Husbands, a seven time winner of the Sovereign Award for outstanding Canadian jockey.

Trade Storm’s previous best win was in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile in Dubai. He went to Canada after two lead-up races in England having finished a half length second to Professor in the Abacus Securities Stakes (seven furlongs) at Haydock on July 19 and a neck second to Custom Cat in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes (nine furlongs) at York on August 23.

Trade Fair’s winning international run continued when Liman won the Prix de Buzenval (one mile) by four lengths at Saint-Cloud in France yesterday. (monday)